From FlyerGuide Wiki
In the Japan Forum we get a lot of questions about the "best" way from the airports (Haneda and Narita) to Tokyo and the rest of Japan. We also get questions on using Tokyo's extensive public transportation network.
This page is a wiki for forum regulars to assemble our best advice in one place. While we will make an effort to keep the information current, always double-check fares and schedules against the official websites of the airports and transit authorities. We will provide links to make that as easy as possible.
Please note that the official airport pages contain a wealth of information about ground transportation options. This page is not designed to rehash that information, but to provide further background on the pros/cons of the various ways.
Some general links:
[edit] What are NRT and HND airports?
Tokyo is served by two large commercial airports - Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND).
Previously NRT was known as the international airport and HND as a hub for domestic services. In the last couple of years, the distinction has become slightly blurred as NRT has increased its domestic connections and HND has started to offer unscheduled charter services to international locations as well as regular flights to Gimpo airport [1] in Seoul, Korea.
[edit] Narita International Airport (NRT)
Narita International Airport (Japanese: 成田国際空港 Narita Kokusai Kūkō ) (IATA: NRT, ICAO: RJAA) is an international airport located in Narita, Chiba, Japan, in the eastern portion of the Greater Tokyo Area.
While Tokyo is the source of much of Narita Airport's traffic, the airport is located far from central Tokyo (say, 1 hour by express train - or 90 minutes by bus). The airport is in Chiba prefecture, which is a neighbouring prefecture to the East of Tokyo.
A little planning can make your arrival / transit / layover more comfortable...
Narita Airport Official Website: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/
Travel related information for Narita Airport (From Wikitravel): http://wikitravel.org/en/Narita_Airport
General Information about the airport
Wikipedia's General Information: Includes: 1 History / 2 Terminals and airlines / 3 Ground transportation / 4 Miscellaneous / 5 External links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narita_...tional_Airport
Phone Rental at NRT: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
Car Service/ Baggage Storage: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] Haneda Airport (HND)
Haneda Airport is a domestic airport with some international flights located to the South of Tokyo.
[edit] NRT Layover
[edit] Mike Newman's guide:
The inside scoop on spending hours, days and perhaps night in Narita. Geared toward folks who intend to stay in the vicinity of the airport, including nearby Narita City. Also links to information on traveling into Tokyo and elsewhere. http://www.mgnewman.com/narita/
[Note: Mike maintains this page, but he no longer travels through Narita - so he asks regular visitors update him at info@mgnewman.com]
[edit] NRT day hotel:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] Capsule hotel near NRT:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] 17 Hour Layover + Young passenger
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT Hotels:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT to Tokyo Transportation Options
a.k.a "Best way from NRT to my hotel?" and "Can I see Tokyo during my NRT layover?"
The first piece oft repeated advice is "Don't take a taxi"
Beyond that there are several choices - What works for you will depend on where you want to go in Tokyo. (and how much money, what arrival time, how important punctuality and comfort, how much luggage, etc.)
Informative discussions on Flyertalk:
[edit] NRT - Shinjuku Area (Roughly 9pm on the circle of central Tokyo)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Asakusa (East end of town - beyond central circle - 2pm direction)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Roppongi (Inside central Tokyo)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Downtown (Downtown?)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
Limousine Bus Homepage: http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/index_l_m_pass.html
JR East - Narita Express (N'ex) information http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/
Keisei Railways - Keisei Skyliner http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetud...ei_us/top.html
[edit] Travel between NRT and other parts of Japan:
Even if you are not heading to Tokyo, you still might have to pass through Tokyo on your way to your destination in Japan.
Informative discussions on Flyertalk:
[edit] NRT ~ Hitachi (in Ibaraki prefecture):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Sendai (Way up in the North East of Honshu island)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ght=sendai+nrt
[edit] NRT ~ Nikko
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Tokyo Disneyland
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Kawasaki
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] NRT ~ Osaka/Kyoto (The "Kansai" area):
General Advice: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] To Westin Miyako in Kyoto:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] Train to Kyoto:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
To Kyoto: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
To Kyoto: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
Could someone look at the Kyoto links and tell me which to leave and which to delete? (Or which I've missed)
[edit] How easy to travel to Kyoto with luggage and health issues?:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=NRT+hotel
[edit] What Is The Most Convenient Way From Narita To Tokyo?
Ouch - How do we even begin to broach the pros and cons of various methods, which greatly depend on where you are going, how much luggage you have, what time you arrive and whether you prefer sitting in trains or buses? Limo Bus Train Taxi Rented Car
[edit] How much does a taxi cost?
There are some threads that we have already - I'd like to link here
[edit] What about car services?
There are some threads that we have already - I'd like to link here
[edit] Fastest at Rush Hour:
At
[edit] How much does XYZ cost?
Please add to the knowledge base in this way
[edit] Getting Around Tokyo - Transportation Within The City
Tokyo has a very advanced public transportation infrastructure - with JR trains (mostly above ground), subways and buses. Excellent information available on Wikipedia about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Subway
Most foreign visitors to Tokyo become very adept at using the subways and JR lines. Eventually I will improve this section by providing a succinct and brilliant guide to these options - For the moment, I am providing links to JR and subway information:
[edit] Subways =
There are two main subway companies:
Tokyo Metro: http://www.tokyometro.jp/e/
Toei Subway: http://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html
[edit] Overland (mostly) trains
JR Lines:
You may find it easier to travel around by purchasing a pre-paid card. Subways all accept the passnet card system JR trains require a Suica card http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suica
[edit] Rail and Bus Passes for Metropolitan Tokyo
Folks - we need to update the entire Tokyo transport information based on the launch of "PASSMO" on March 18, 2007. The "Passmo" launch means that one can ride buses, JR trains and many private railways with the same stored value card. I believe that the stored value cards will also be usable on public transit in Kansai (Osaka area). Since I (jib71) am not in Japan right now (3/18/2007), I am unable to complete this section with first hand information.
If people currently in Tokyo can update this section with their first-hand experience it would be great.
We should also include the information about the good value NEX + SUICA deal that is now available from NRT airport. Maybe worth including this information in the section on NRT and the section on Transport within Tokyo.
[edit] Buses
Buses are not so easy to understand for the casual visitor to Tokyo
Taxis are readily available in Tokyo - but it may be worth noting this advice: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=469063
